Jayne E

Does not sound good. Where was this cruise?

Athens to Barcelona

BTW, service and food still great. Just a very different atmosphere.

dont get too wound up....the upgrade to O will still provide you with considerable wow and pleasure over the line you came from... There is much more that will also impress, low key, non nickel-dime, 1/4 the passengers, Ambiance and manners and demeanor of fellow passengers There man be changes but there will be changes too in the line from which you are switching from..... Thats life and dont get all that worked up over something that will be a wonderful new and superior experience

Returned from Riviera 8/3, 9th O cruise. Have previously experienced what you describe, but def not on this cruise. Ambiance, manners and demeanor of large number of fellow passengers was more like a “Fun Ship”. Men jumping into pool and women screaming at them as they jumped. They took over entire pool. Many families. Majority in 40’s & 50’s. On sea day, DJ spinning loud music at pool. I asked if this was the “new norm” on sea days (next O cruise has 4). He said passengers wanted pool environment “spiced up”. I completely understand younger passengers want a different experience.....maybe we have to consider a different cruise line. Seems O is marketing to families and not the usual “older passengers”. A plus was that families dine earlier and we were able to get late rez in specialty restaurants most nights. Also very disappointed that MDR closed for lunch most port days. We often returned for a relaxed lunch, especially at ports previously visited.

Not disputing just don't understand. By "despite entire ship open" do you mean that in in all categories, or more to the point, the B4 category had availability and one could book and choose a cabin? Or does "entire ship open" mean that the B4 was listed as GTY and so still open to accepting booking?

 

My confusion is if the "entire ship open" how could you book a GTY. I know some other lines one can book a specific cabin or also buy a GTY within a category. But on O on their website I could only book a GTY when O no longer offered bookings where I could select my cabin. (does that make any sense)

Not making sense. This is simple. Guaranty was a very low price offer to sell cabins. This cruise had 100's of empty cabins up to 1 month prior in ALL categories. They sold B4, A4 and even PH3 Guaranty at different times. So many PH empty that we didn't take the 1st upsell.....TA said def a 2nd offer and maybe 3rd. We were able to choose our cabin and PH1 & PH2 offered at same upsell price.

I recently booked a guarantee veranda cabin on the Marina for the June 2 sailing out of Southhampton. I was surprised to be assigned a cabin within days. This was at the end of December. if my research is correct the lower cabins are listed as waitlisted but there is still lots of inventory brim B1 upward.final payment is March 4. Could I still possibly receive an upgrade or upswell offer.? I usually pick my cabin but this was too good to pass up. Happy with the midship cabin location just curious whether it is Now "cast in stone" ie.cabin number or other options may be offered Thanks for any insight. My understanding was always that guarantees were last minute fill ins. Not the case here so puzzled. Thanks again.

I was also assigned a B4 Guaranty cabin within days and 5 months prior to cruise date, despite entire ship open. They did allow me to move the cabin but within the B4 category only. However, you will still get an upsell offer if targeted. We accepted the offer and are now in a Suite.

I know that. I was referring to people who have done 10 B2B cruises.....that's 20 credits and a free cruise.

Like Terrier, we have been burned by the Grand Voyage situation, so much so that we will no longer allow it to happen and finally, our TA has figured out the benefit to booking two separate cruises. For our next longer cruise we have two booking numbers, made about 6 weeks apart (one while onboard Sirena so got that extra benefit too).

 

Since that happened, several benefits have showed up for the portion of the cruise that is not so desirable, including extra OBC, and we would not have received those if booked at the Extended Voyage advertised in the Oceania materials. Our TA even has a 'group' discount on one portion and we got that too. Again, that would not have happened if we only had the Extended Journey booked.

 

Dining rez don't open up for a while but I foresee no problems since I have two distinct bookings, both of which I can access.

Grand Voyage just an excuse not to give 2 credits!!

Our med cruise last summer was $1100 more if booked separately with 2 credits. O told TA up to us what we wanted. Couple we met on cruise we're getting 2 credits but not aware how much more they had paid. Price discount amounts to "old" B2B pricing but without 2 credits. I think that too many were booking ten B2B cruises and getting free cruise after ten cruises.

So you booked a B4 & they gave you a B4 cabin ..not sure what the gripe is or were you thinking they let others book the specific cabin numbers & then close to sailing you get an upgrade :confused:

 

my understanding with O is if you book a GTY but cabins are available in that cat they will assign you one only when they are booked up then you take the GTY status you are guaranteed to be on the ship

I could be wrong

According to O you are wrong...they can do whatever they please. Do not have to be booked up....cruise is wide open in all categories. BTW, I have no gripe at all....sale was well worth going down to B4!! Just think their process makes no sense.

And of course I always book on board....price reduction protection is eliminated when switching to a subsequent sale price and loyalty discount also, but that 3 day sale was amazing and not offered again.

Just my own feeling.....liked it better when first price best but competition has resulted in most cruises not filling up quickly and therefore price adjustments.

Were there actually cabins available when you booked?

Was it just GTY status available for B4's ?

There were over 250 cabins available last September. There are still over 100 cabins available.

The terms of my gty was B4 or higher. Had I gotten a B4 within "45 days" from sailing I would be fine with it.

When I asked why they locked me in to a B4 five months before sailing, the answer was that I had gotten the Labor Day weekend sale price......and obviously they wanted to punish me for taking advantage of their sale.

I have found that there have been small petty changes since Norwegian bought Oceania. The former excellent customer service is no longer. And the old adage that you get the "best possible price" by booking early is no more. It's become a price game and booking early more expensive. Just my opinion. However, the ships, restaurants and on board personnel are still excellent!!!

I also believe that Oceania should take into consideration the loyalty of their customers when deciding who receives an upgrade. If everything else is "apples to apples" than returning clients should be upgraded first.

 

This will be my first Oceania cruise. I certainly couldn't argue if someone who has cruised numerous times on Oceania receives an upgrade before I do; assuming that we paid relatively the same amount of money for the same category cabin.

This will be our 9th O cruise and 1st Carib and 1st Gty. All other cruises were 14-22 days. I also thought some upgrade consideration would go to a repeat customer but like I said....B4 Gty and B4 assigned last September for 2/2017 cruise that is still wide open. Don't really care but don't understand why cabin assigned so far out. Probably will never do again.

This is the exact wording on the Oceania Website when booking a guarantee cabin.

 

Guarantee

A guarantee booking is confirmed for the category selected. Your specific suite or stateroom will be assigned within 45 days of embarkation, and possibly not until embarkation. If you prefer to select your suite or stateroom now, please choose a category marked "Available," or Contact Reservations or your Travel Agent for assistance.

 

It clearly states that Oceania has the right not to assign the stateroom until embarkation. They did not deceive you in any manner or promise you something that they are not delivering. You simply did not read the legal disclaimer.

 

Unfortunately, saying that it is "unacceptable" to be assigned a cabin on the day embarkation is on "you" and not on Oceania.

Booked a B4 Gty last September for a February 2017 cruise. It was a previous booking and we gave up our assigned B3 cabin due to a very big price difference. Two weeks later we were assigned a B4 cabin, while Oceania has continued to sell the B4 Gty for months and the cruise still has over 100 empty cabins. As only 22 B4 cabins, those booking after us are obviously being upgraded. We were never "in the game" for a possible upgrade. That is completely contrary to O's statement of cabin assignment within "45 days of sailing." O's reply to my call was that we paid less than the current Gty price.

I'm very satisfied with our cabin location and cost!!! However looks like we were punished for getting such a low price 😀

We were on Regent's Explorer for the Christening the night before the attack in Nice (14 miles away). Both Regent and Oceania have temporarily cancelled excursions in Nice and Monte Carlo. Since they know a lot more than we do, I respect their decision.

Nice is probably one of the safest European cities to be in now. Terror is not spread by attacking the same city 3 weeks later. We will purposely travel from MC to Nice next week....city needs tourist support.

I don't think O "knows anything". If enough people cancel or do not book excursions to Nice, cruise line will cancel those tours.

I'm in Penn Station (NYC) 8x per week...high terror alert and huge police and military presence there and numerous other NYC areas. Unfortunate part of life now.....but terrorists succeed when people stop traveling and economies that depend on tourism are hurt.

I think you hit the nail on the head there, avalon. On board entertainment is my biggest disappointment on O, and I've always wondered why, after the show in the lounge, they kill any atmosphere stone dead by making everyone get up and move up several decks to Horizons. Very occasionally there's been a great atmosphere on deck 5 but up on deck 10 there's a big empty room with very little happening. I think it suits the staff to have everyone go to bed early!

 

We have good friends who cruise with Crystal - I must ask them about the entertainment. The really enjoy the enrichment.

Never thought of that! So true....Oceania does nothing to keep the mood upbeat. Piano player just sets the mood for SLEEP! Several years ago they had a magician mingle on Deck 5 and the place was packed!!! No one left. Unfortunately never again. Singer in lounge some nights, dj spinning .... anything more lively than Trivia!! Our last O cruise they played some deck games with crew and passengers.....everyone either joined in or got up to watch. Looked like all enjoyed the change of pace. Doesn't have to become a party boat but a little more social activities besides Bingo and Trivia would be nice. We may be older but still like a good time!

We are shortly cruising with Oceania and our cruise has been substantially altered and our PH grade has dropped 20%.

My TA informs me that Oceania will honour price drops, if booked onboard! Nothing for booking early....not even an upgrade, gratuities or OBC.

I have another cruise booked on Oceania this year.

Not happy.........

Yes, you are right!! If you book on board the lowest price will be guaranteed if you are paid in full AND even if your category is sold out. Very different than prior to payment and category available. My days if booking early on O are over. Too many price drops on all sailings. Eventually if more do this, O will adjust pricing rules.

Doubtful. Maybe…2-to-4 (if you're lucky)…. Maybe.

 

Ya want peers (And I don't know if you do….)? Lovely as it is, O probably ain't fer you!

 

Keep searching…you'll find it. (The right cruise line, I mean.)

 

Best!

All underware does the job

 

How you personally feel about the fit or the texture is entirely up to you

 

Pick a cruise or pair of underwear that you think will fit for your taste

 

I have met 32 yearolds that felt like they were 70. Likewise I have met 70's who felt like 20's

Its all about how you feel. How open and relaxed you are. Do you have opinions on what to expect? Do you have expectations of how others receive you? Do you worry about acceptance in a new or unfamiliar situation?

 

The bottom line is being open...its no big deal if you dont exactly fit in to a mold . If you dont, why, heck your on a great ship. great food and can enjoy far more than you could at home.

 

Try it...if it works cool If it does not, then crank back your expectations and go with the flow. Blend in.mellow out... Don't let the situation, even if it is not ideal mar your enjoyment.

There is a poem that goes.

" The greatest adventure is what lies ahead,

Today and tomorrow are yet to be said,

The chance, the changes are all your 's to make....the mold of your life is in your hands to break"

Well....Amigo, the door is open.......

This is a very poignant response, however spending $20,000 on a cruise is quite a stretch from buying underwear. Yes, if it doesn't fit, throw it out. There are wonderful cruises that are more befitting people in 30's/40's.

We're 70 and after 21 days on Nautica, we were looking forward to getting back to work and the "kids" we work with. The mold was being only with other seniors for 3 weeks. Reason we haven't retired

That sounds like a good deal - hard to go wrong with that.

Yes, but we had already booked summer cruise and they did give us Club Certificate discount but no price match.

Considering how their prices keep changing, on board booking with price match would be "priceless"!! Said it's new marketing on started on Nautica.

But it sounds like your TA DID give you something after final payment - so it does help to have a good TA. They will never match the price after final payment but one can get OBC, upgrade, beverage package, etc instead.

Alternatively, one can gamble and wait to see if the cruise is selling well and if not, wait to book after final payment for discounted fare (if offered) - not my way to go.

O's pricing has been "all over the place" since sale to Norwegisn. They used to advertise that early booking was a guaranteed lowest price AND IT WAS!!! Not any longer!! Our b2b last summer started as $1,000 less than 2 individual cruises and ended up $1,000 MORE!! TA fighting with O for refund and they offered $100 OBC!! Luckily, got an upsell and cancelled cruise. Looks like best prices are after final payment.

However, we were just on Nautica they gave a guarantee of best price match up to sail date only if you booked on board. New marketing.

Doubtful. Maybe…2-to-4 (if you're lucky)…. Maybe.

 

Ya want peers (And I don't know if you do….)? Lovely as it is, O probably ain't fer you!

 

Keep searching…you'll find it. (The right cruise line, I mean.)

 

Best!

Definitely not for you. Especially at night. Bedtime for most is after mediocre at best show or after Trivia, about 10:30 PM:-(

We love O for dining and itineraries but nighttime is quite dull.....and we're much older than you.

I'd take an upgrade, but the ship is sold out. ;)

 

Looking forward to the balcony. No, it's not private at all. Those on the side can see us, too. Oh well, as my DH say, no one knows us from Adam. :D I may be wrong, but isn't there a small overhang that we can sit/hide under...is this correct?

Overhang is exactly the size of a standard verandah. Extended area open. Best of both worlds.

Anyone with info at earliest they were able to disembark in Citavecchia? Ship docks at 6:00 AM.

That is correct! And we already have the B3 7111 booked. :D

 

I did book the Beverage Packages yesterday. ;)

 

E-Docs came today, but I am still confused about what, if anything, I take for check-in because there was no paper to print out and sign. I dis already complete the online check-in. We received the huge booklet with our luggage tags a few weeks ago.

Best cabin. 1st extended and open on one side. Great views. Not good if you're shy....wave and say hi to those above who will see you. Have fun.

We were upgraded to an A1 on one cruise at no cost and put away their laptop and blanket, did not shine shoes or press pants, didn't use concierge room and took care of our own reservations as concierge always saying everything was booked. next cruise we turned down concierge upsell for $100 pp. Not giving up my verandah!!! Just my opinion though.

Since sale of O, the pricing changes and promotions are making the booking experience quite unpleasant!! Used to be Oceania guaranteed the earlier the booking, the better the price and so it was. No longer!!! Now it's become a guessing game when to book. Additionally, most B2B are now "Grand Cruises" and no discount on 2nd itinerary. Need an accountant rather than a TA!!!

Why is Oceania taking us to Lesbos on Tuesday 8th Sept:confused: We are due to port at Mitilini. Lesbos for 9 hours. If you are not up to date with the current news or on holiday on Mars then you are excused but to be serious, Oceania is taking us to a refugee base for the migrants trying to leave the Island by whatever means to get to mainland Greece. The newspaper photos coming out of Mitilini (UK Daily Mail, dated 4 Sept) show migrants rioting on the port streets, throwing stones and rocks at police who are reported to be firing stun grenades into the crowds to disperse them. Not the quiet Greek Island we are expecting!!! I for one will be staying on board for the day and questions to Oceania are going to be asked:(

A shame regarding the present conditions, but there is virtually nothing to see at all in Lesbos. You can walk the streets for 1 hour and back to ship. It should never have been an Oceania port stop. This was everyone's opinion on our cruise last year.

I am currently on Riviera on a 14 day sailing - two 7 day back to back sailings.

 

I'm happy to report that the Riviera is still absolutely fantastic....our only small disappointment is that they are in fact repeating the same 7 day menu from the last cruise. Same menu items at lunch and dinner in both Terrace and MDR. The food is wonderful but I do miss the other options that we had on our true 14 day last year.

 

So we go with the flow....life is good.

Cruise was sold as a 14 day Grand Voyage and "not" a B2B..... menus should never have been repeated. As cruise(s) sold so well (overbooked) they're offering several of these Grand Voyage combos for next year

I am assuming that the "free" excursions will be limited choice, and not all available. Probably will have additional surcharge for the more comprehensive tours. Does anyone know? The unlimited excursion package is not unlimited..... has surcharges on so many tours.

I wonder if that means they are going to stop offering new perk 6-8 mths out

 

We always book over a yr in advance then see perks added later so far my TA has been able to get us the new incentives but does not work for everyone

 

I could care less about the free excursions & already get the PPG

not a big deal for me

To me it is smells of another marketing ploy because sales are slow on some sailings ;)

Cynical maybe

 

just saying

 

Lyn

Completely agree!!! On Riviera 8/5, booked a year out as a 14 day cruise and then O sells it as two 7 day cruises with Your World Sale for both but not for 14 day cruise and with no B2B discount. Had to fight with O to add "Sale" amenities to our 14 day and did get it. Then price of both 7's were reduced and are $600 less than 14 day!!! What happened to assurance you get the BEST PRICE booking while on board? I was offered $100 OBC when I requested a price adjustment prior to final payment.

Probably will not go with Oceania any longer....this has been very unpleasant and unfair. Rewarding 7 day and overcharging the 14? Makes no sense.